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Bibliography 
- Anglo-Saxon
Chronicle, ed. and trans. M. Swanton, (London
1996).*
- Bede: Ecclesiastical History of
the English People, trans. L. Shirley-Price, (St
Ives 1990).*
- Bonedd y Saint,
Lineage of the Saints, in: Vitae Sanctorum
Britanniae et Genealogiae, ed. A.W.
Wade-Evans, pp. 320-323.*
- Bromwich, R.: The Character of the
Early Welsh Tradition, in: Chadwick, Studies
in Early British History, pp. 83-136.*
- Bu'Lock, J.D.: Vortigern and the Pillar
of Eliseg, in: Antiquity XXXIV,1960, pp.
49-53.*
- Chadwick, H.M.: The Foundation of the
Early British Kingdoms, in: Chadwick, Studies
in Early British History, pp. 47-56.*
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in Early British History, (Cambridge 1959).*
- Chadwick, N.K.: A Note on Faustus and
Riocatus, in: Chadwick, Studies in Early
British History, pp. 254-263.*
- Drinkwater, J.F.
and Elton, H. et al: Fifth-century Gaul: a Crisis of
Identity?, (Cambridge 1992).*
- Geoffrey of
Monmouth: The
Historia Regum Britanniae of Geoffrey of
Monmouth, trans.R. Ellis Jones, ed. A.Griscom,
(London 1929, repr. 1977).*
- Geoffrey of
Monmouth: Life
of Merlin, Vita Merlini, ed. and trans.
B. Clarke, (Cardiff 1973).
- Gildas: The Ruin of Britain and
other works, Latin and trans. M. Winterbottom,
in: History from the Sources VII, (Old
Woking 1978).*
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Brittonum - Nennius: British History and the
Welsh Annals, Latin and trans. John Morris, in: History
from the Sources VIII, (Chichester 1980).*
- Jones, A.H.M.: The Later Roman Empire,
284-602, A Social, Economic and Administrative
Survey, 2 vols. (Oxford 1964, paperback 1990).*
- Martindale, J.R.,
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(Cambridge1971).
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Later Roman Empire. Vol. 2, A.D. 395-527,
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Kelly, D.H.: The
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Elton, Fifth-century Gaul, pp. 111-121.*
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(Cardiff 1973).
Notes
[1] This genealogy is compiled of both
historical and semi-legendary sources. The Roman part is
almost completely attested in historical sources, the
British part is mostly based on non-contemporary works,
such as the Historia Brittonum, Welsh dynastic lists
(e.g. the Pillar of Elise, the Bonedd y Saint, the
Harleian and Jesus College MSS), or the histories of
Tysilio and Geoffrey of Monmouth. For a more complete
review of Vortigern's place in the Welsh pedigrees, see
the pedigrees of East and South Wales.
[2] Gloiu might be a Welsh version of
the Latin name Claudius, probably Claudius I, the
founder, but some authors have identified him not with
the first Emperor, but with the second - the Emperor
Claudius II Gothicus (d.270). (see also note 3).
[3] Historia Brittonum C.49.
Gloiu; probably the eponym for Gloucester (Glevum),
which might indicate that Vortigern's family originated
there. This would make Vortigern a nobleman of the
Dobunni or from Powys. Gloiu was also known as Gloiu
Gwallthir. This later Welsh epithet means of the
long hairs , or horsehair, indicating
that he was a Roman soldier. Gloiu could also be a
version of the Roman personal name Claudius (see note
2).
[4] Although Gloiu is supposed to have
been the father of Vitalinus and his three brothers, it
is also possible that these brothers were the three
missing generations between Vitalinus and a Gloiu that
was the same person as the Emperor Claudius II Gothicus.
But this is purely speculative. However, the Life of St Gurthiern makes Vortigern the son of Bonus
and the grandson of Gloiu. It is also possible that Vitalinus
was not a brother, but the family name, e.g. Vitalinus
Bonus of Glevum.
[5] This lineage is of course purely
speculative. Magnus Maximus was born at about the same
time as Crispus and Fausta were killed, but their son
remained lost. If he was indeed a son of Crispus, Magnus
Maximus could have had one more reason to claim the
Imperial title. However, no source does claim this
connection. The speculation is mentioned here only
because of the occurrence of the name 'Fausta' in the
generations above Magnus Maximus. This strengthens the
theory that Faustus of Riez was in fact a son of
Vortigern, as the name occurred in the family of his
mother Sevira.
[6] Alternatively, Gloiu may not have
been a real person, but simply a scribal error for
'Vitalinus of Gloucester.'
[7]
The ‘Macsen
Wledig’ of the Welsh genealogies. He was
probably related to Theodosius I by marriage to a
relative, rather than that he was a relative of the
Emperor’s wife Flavia Aelia Flacilla. We know of two
sons, Constans and Victor, the latter being co-ruler
during Maximus' usurpation. He probably had at least one
daughter (‘Maxima’), who married
Ennodius, Proconsul Africae in 395. British tradition
gives another daughter (Sevira), who married a man of
stature during the same time; Vortigern. Welsh legend
claims other sons, such as Owain (Eugenus) and
Andragathius. He was also supposed to have had another
wife (Helen, daughter of Octavius (Euddav), and he is
made ancestor to many dynastic lineages. Though once a
staunch supporter of Theodosius I, he usurped the throne
in 383 against Gratian, whom he had killed. This angered
Theodosius very much, so that when Maximus lost the
battle of Aquilieia, Theodosius had him executed by Fl.
Constantius.
[8] Anglo-Saxon Chronicle;
Oisc (or Aesc) received the Kingdom (from Hengist)
in 488. In this diagram, I have placed a later Hengist
next to an early Vortigern. Traditionally, Vortigern is
placed in the second half of the 5th century.
Both Historia Brittonum and Geoffrey of Monmouth place
him in the first half, while Gildas remains silent. It is
only Bede who has proposed the traditional opinion, which
has been more acceptable since, mostly because of
Bede’s strong textual reliance on Gildas. Hengist
may however be known from the ‘Beowulf’ and the
lost ‘Finnesburgh Fragment’. If indeed
identified with that Hengist, this would place him in the
early 5th century as well. This would make
Oisc an older king, but not impossibly old.
[9] Pillar
of Elise.
This is the only source mentioning Vortigern's original
wife, Sevira (or Severa or Servilla). A marriage
between them could be rejected as an attempt to link the
dynasty of Powys with the Emperor Magnus Maximus, but it
might have been historical. We know of another daughter
of Magnus Maximus (Maxima) who was married to a powerful
man (Ennodius, proconsul Africae).
[10]
Historia
Brittonum, C.66, and Geoffrey of Monmouth, Historia
Regum Bittanniae, VI.2-6.
The name of Vitalinus is also connected with Vortigern
in other ways. A Vitalinus is mentioned in C.66 is
fighting an Ambrosius in 437 at the battle of Guoloph.
Likewise, Vortigern is also fighting an Ambrosius
(Aurelianus) in all later sources. Also, Vitalinus is the
name of Vortigern’s grandfather or even that of his
entire family (above). When one combines this with the
possibility that the Guithelinus mentioned by Geoffrey of
Monmouth is the same person as Vortigern (below), one may
come to the conclusion that Vortigern is a political
name, taken by a man originally called Vitalinus.
[11] Historia Brittonum, C.49.
Gwrtheyrn Gwrteneu, Vortigern the Thin; Vortigern
Vorteneu, son of Vitalis, son of Vitalinus, son of Gloiu.
The epithet of Vorteneu, W. Gwrtheneu (Gor-Teneu) means
"Very Thin". This may have referred to his old
age.
[12] Historia Brittonum, C.37.
Marriage to Rowena (or Renwein or Rhonwen) was supposed
to have been the reason for Vortigern to accede Kent to
the Saxons and the rebellion of his son Vortimer,
according to Geoffrey of Monmouth. Apart from a total
fabrication to explain a forgotten history, a political
arrangement is more likely, whereby Hengist served as a
guard against other military groups, such as other
federates or rival Britons. If we accept the dates of
Hengist and his sons according to the Anglo-Saxon
Chronicle, Rowena must have been very young (However, see
note 7 as well). Geoffrey makes her the sister
of Hengist.
[13]
Geoffrey of Monmouth, Historia Regum Bittanniae,
VI.2-6.
Guithelinus, archbishop of London, was the leader of the
Britons after the Romans left. No other sources ever
mention him, and he conveniently disappears when
Vortigern enters the story. Though Geoffrey or his
sources clearly did not know of a connection, Guithelinus
or Vitalinus may simply have been Vortigern himself,
before he took that name for political reasons.
[14] Geoffrey of Monmouth, Historia
Regum Bittanniae, VI.6.
Geoffrey introduces Vortigern as ‘Dux
Gewissei’. These ‘Gewissans’ (pl.) were
probably the same as the ‘Gewissae’ around
Dorchester-on-Thames, who later became the West Saxons.
Indeed, the Anglo-Saxon historian Asser uses
‘Gewissei’ for the West Saxons. Though
‘Gewis’ was later seen as the semi-mythological
founder of the dynasty, it remains a possibility he was
in fact the leader of (one of) these units, which were
named after him (a common practice in the Roman army).
[15] Vortigern need not have been a
militairy commander, for the only other ‘Dux
Gewissei’ was Octvian, father-in-law to Magnus
Maximus on the British side. The Welsh Bruts use
‘Gewissei’ for the territory of Ariconium,
while Asser and Bede use it for the early territory of
Wessex. Maximus was father-in-law to Vortigern, who might
thus have inherited a power-base in South Wales. So, in
that case, ‘Dux’ might represent local kingship
rather than military command.
[16] Historia Brittonum, C.66.
We can be fairly certain of Vortigern’s ascent in
425. If he was Vitalinus, his ascendancy may even date
back to the events of 410, when the Britons, desperate
after the ‘Rescript of Honorius’, trusted him
with their defence. Though he was later called a king,
his title may have been Rex Britanniae. With the revolt
of the federates in 441 he lost his position - his son
Vortimer took it from him, or else it was without real
power, as a Saxon minion.
[17] When did Vortigern die? There may
have been some duplications in the stories about
Vortigern and Vortimer. Vortimer originally fought beside
his father in the battles after the Saxon revolt. But
after Vortimer's death Vortigern returned, suffered a
final humiliation and disappeared again. This might be a
duplication of Vortigern's actions or even mistaking
Vortigern for Vortimer. It is also possible that Vortimer
reigned after his father, and actually invited Hengist as
a counterforce against the rebellious federates.
In this case the legend is true, but Vortigern was
mistaken for Vortimer. If correct, Vortigern died shortly
after 441 and Vortimer around 455.
[18] Valentinian III succeeded to the
throne when he was only four years old, and for many
years his mother Placidia effectively ruled the Eastern
empire. In the west it was the warlord Aetius who was
sole ruler as Magister Militium, but for the title of
Emperor. When at last the jealousy of Valentinian got the
better of him, he stabbed Aetius for no reason. He was
subsequently murdered by the followers of Aetius,
allegedly organized by Petronius Maximus, but with his
own bodyguard looking on.
[19] Petronius Maximus was very probably
the great-grandson of the usurper Magnus Maximus, though
he also belonged to the noble family of the Petronii, who
identified themselves with the Anicii. Petronius was
alledgedly responsible for the death of Valentinian III.
After Valentinian had needlessly executed Petronius’
former commander Aetius in 454, it would have been very
possible indeed that Maximus wanted revenge. He usurped
the throne on March 17, 455, only to be killed on May the
31st of the same year, when he left Rome for
Ravenna to seek refuge from the advancing army of
Geiseric. He was recognized and stoned to death by an
angry mob.
[20]
Interestingly, Geiseric was invited to North Africa by
Boniface, the rival of Aetius. He invited the Vandals,
who had been active in Spain for about twenty years, to
support him against rival Roman forces. This mirrors the
actions of Vortigern during the same period! Also, it
mirrors the result of the action - the loss of the
province and the creation of an independent territory by
the former federates.
[21] Historia Brittonum, C.43,44
& 48.
Gwrthefyr Bendigeit: Vortimer the Blessed; his name, when
derived from Vertimorix, means ‘Highest
King’, thus claiming a higher authority than
Vortigern. This may be plausible in the light of the
stories of a rebellion against his father (though a
possibility that he was not a son at all remains).
Vortimer is supposed to have fought the Saxons after the
disgrace of Vortigern by Germanus. But we cannot be sure
about the time in which he supposedly deposed his father
after the marriage to Rowena, daughter of Hengist (see
below). In the Life of St Germanus, Vortimer was blessed
by the saint for his opposition to Vortigern. After his
death, he was meant to be buried in Richborough (to ward
off the Saxons), but his followers disobeyed him. His
daughter Modrun became the first of a long line of
saints.
[22] Historia Brittonum, C.48.
Pasgen; ..the third was Pascent, who reigned in the two provinces
Builth and Guorthegirnioun, after the death of his
father. These were granted him by Ambrosius Aurelianus.
[23] Historia Brittonum, C.44.
Cadeyrn: battle-king’; the second battle of
Vortimer against the Saxons at Episford, where Catigern and Horsa fell; the Anglo-Saxon
Chronicle records Horsa's death at the battle of
Aylesford in 455. Though acknowledged in the genealogy of
Powys, it remains doubtful if he ever was king.
[24] Historia Brittonum, C.48.
In a very confusing way it is claimed here that Vortigern
had a fourth son named Faustus, born to him incestiously (as was
Britu) by his own daughter, and who later became bishop
of Riez. This Faustus of Riez is a historical figure,
known to Sidonius Appolinaris as a Briton. Britu and
Faustus were probably the same person, 'Faustus' being a
'name in Christ'. Since he was bishop from 452 until
after 475, he is more likely to have been a son than a
grandson of Vortigern.
[25] Pillar of Elise.
Britu is claimed as the son of Sevira and Vortigern, but
also as the son, brother and even grandson of Catigern: Jesus
College XX.16. There may have been a mixup
leading to the charges of incest, that Vortigern had a son by his
own daughter, as is also claimed of Faustus. The Britu
that succeeds Catigern as king of Powys in most pedigrees
might also have been the Britu map Vortigern from the Pillar
of Elise. The
discussion above is in favour of the latter, and though
we shouldn’t exclude the possiblity of a
(short-lived) son called Britu as well, I believe the
evidence is in favour of the theory that when Catigern
died in the battle of Episford/Ritergabail, he left no
heir, after which his brother succeeded him. Britu might
have perished in the chaos after the death of Vortigern
(whether as son or brother), after which Pascent was
confirmed as new ruler. His line then continued as ruling
dynasty, only challenged by that of Cadell. Britu has
been made a grandson of Catigern through a 'son' called
Ruddfael. This last one seems very much like an
interpolation, based upon a misconception of the name of Catigern's last battle.
[26] Tripartite life of St. Patrick
Scotnoe is described as a British wife of Fedelmid, son
of the Irish High King Loiguire. Her father is described
as ‘King of Britain’, so it can at least be
assumed that Foirtgirn was named after his grandfather,
Vortigern. The Book of Armagh makes Scotnoe the grandmother
of Foirtgirn, probably due to some confusion about the
fact that Loiguire also had a British wife.
[27] Ynyr Gwent. Ynyr is a later
Welsh transcription of the common name Honorius, very
fitting for a late-Roman style ruler in the civitas of
Venta Silurum during the days of Emperor Honorius III.
His brother and his descendants became the rulers of Gwent for 700 years.
[28] Bonedd
y Saint
According to one text (B, followed by G), Vortimer's
daughter Modrun was married to Ynyr Gwent. Her daughter
became confused with the Winefred legend.
[29] Rhiagath; another form of
‘Battle-King’(Rigo-cathos).
[30] Since he was able to converse with
Lomman (around 440) in the British language, he was
probably born about 430.
[31] As attested in the Historia
Brittonum § 49, against Harleian MS 3859.27.
[32] Gwrtheyrnion or Vortigerniana,
‘land of Vortigern’
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